8.19.2010

Make a Fabric Carnation- Tutorial

My birth flower is Carnation and I have to admit that I spent most of my life despising the flower. I just didn't like it. That was until a certain episode of Sex in the City where Carrie had a HUGE bouquet of pink ones (you know, the episode where she smashed the entire vase of them in anger). Seeing them in such a huge arrangement made them look like a big fluffy tutu! So I have a new appreciation for the ruffly little flowers.

I just got a couple fun feet for my sewing machine (I had only ever used the feet that came with the machine), but in the set that I ordered came a ruffler foot. So I popped it on, grabbed a scrap strip of fabric I had torn for a braided rug experiment and got this.

This strip of fabric has a frayed edge that was created by ripping the fabric rather than cutting. Using my ruffle foot (you can do a long straight stitch and gather by pulling a thread for the same affect) sew down one edge the length of your strip.
Start rolling your strip dotting a bit of hot glue as you go and a few extra pleats in your ruffle. Just bunch it up in a rolling motion.

When you have it all secured, add glue to anywhere it's still loose and fluff!

I got my ruffle foot as part of this set from HSN. It is made by singer but comes with a universal attachment for other machines. Enjoy!

That is gorgeous. I'm planning a surprise party for my mum this saturday - I'd love to make a whole bunch of them and string them on a garland ... hmmm I wonder will I fit that in amongst all the other things I have to do :o)

I bought a ruffler attachment last year after seeing someone use it on a blog. LOVE IT! So easy to use and so fun! It is the greatest invention ever. I am always finding excuses to add ruffle to something. I found found using regular ribbon instead of fabric to be quick and easy as well. Have fun with it. I love the flower you did.

Thank you for posting this tutorial...my birth flower is a carnation as well; I guess I'll be making bunches of these!! I'm new follower as well, it's nice to meet you.I look forward to more great blogs from you.

ok, so I went out and got this foot but I'm doing something wrong with it cause I still seem to just be doing a straight stitch rather than creating a ruffle?!? Any suggestions? PS. I'm a new follower :)